U21 PREVIEW: BURNLEY V IPSWICH TOWN

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Clarets go in search of first home points with visit of Tractor Boys

2022-09-04T22:00:00.000Z

U21 PREVIEW: BURNLEY V IPSWICH TOWN

Clarets go in search of first home points with visit of Tractor Boys

2022-09-04T22:00:00.000Z

Burnley’s U21 side welcome Ipswich Town to the County Ground in Leyland on Monday afternoon (September 5) searching for their first home points of the season to back up last week’s 2-1 win at Cardiff City.

That victory in South Wales saw the Clarets put their first three points on the board in the Professional Development League table, with captain Mark Helm netting the winner with 20 minutes remaining.

It was Lewis Richardson’s strike 11 minutes earlier which had drawn Burnley level after falling behind in the first half though, with the forward later that week earning himself a Deadline Day season-long loan move to the Football League with Grimsby Town.

Entering the building on Deadline Day meanwhile were two new signings to bolster the U21 ranks.

Republic of Ireland youth international defender Alex Healy-Byrne – 18 - was the first, signing from Cork City. He was followed in the doors of the Burnley Training Centre a few hours later by 20-year-old midfielder Marcel Lewis, who joined from Belgian outfit Royal Union Saint-Gilloise.

Both players penned two-year deals with the Clarets on professional terms, and will be in contention for Monday afternoon’s game, which gets underway at midday, as Burnley attempt to move up the ladder from 6th in the Northern Section.

Opponents Ipswich however will provide a stern test, winning the Southern Section of the PDL last term before falling at the first hurdle in the end-of-season play-offs.

The Tractor Boys youngsters are headed up by former Clarets defender John McGreal, who joined Burnley from Ipswich in the summer of 2004. Spending three seasons at Turf Moor, McGreal tallied up 106 appearances in all competitions, netting once in a 3-0 victory against Crewe Alexandra.

Going on to manage both Colchester United and Swindon Town in the Football League, the ex-defender would also be thrust into the first-team hotseat at Portman Road just four days after his arrival in December 2021.

Following the departure of fellow former Claret Paul Cook, he took interim charge of the Tractor Boys in Sky Bet League One for four games last season, drawing two and losing two.

U21 PREVIEW: BURNLEY V IPSWICH TOWN - Image 1

Now, with Kieran McKenna assuming the first-team hotseat for the Blues, McGreal has been able to focus on the U21s oncemore, successful at the start of the campaign.

Picking up seven points from their opening three games, Ipswich’s U21s beat Hull City 4-2 last time out in Suffolk. Ahead of Monday’s game, they sit 4th in the Southern Section.

It’s free entry at the County Ground for Season Ticket Holders, with non-Season Ticket Holders able to watch for £5 per Adult & £2 per Concession.

However, don’t worry if you can’t get to Leyland as the Club will be bringing you full match coverage via Twitter - @ClaretsAcademy – with a report following on the Burnley FC website post-match.